An estimated 16 billion pounds of plastic enters the ocean each year.

We're on a mission to stop this.

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Mangroves are considered the nurseries of the sea

Many ocean species nest or give birth in mangroves, including manatees, seabirds, sharks, corals, shellfish, crustaceans,
and countless types of fish. Baby sea animals grow up sheltered by the mangroves until they’re ready to venture out to
the reefs or deep ocean. Because they’re home to so many species’ babies, mangroves are considered the nurseries of the
sea and one of the biggest contributors to the ocean’s biodiversity.

These plants are also intricately tied to the sustainability of our fisheries and global food security. A lot of the seafood
we eat, like grouper, redfish, snapper, and shellfish start life among mangroves. Many of the world’s fish catches are
either directly or indirectly dependent on mangrove forests for survival.

Mangroves have a dense root system that traps sediment flowing downriver and off land. The buildup of this sediment acts
as a natural breakwater, helping to stabilize entire coastlines and prevent erosion caused by tides and storms. However,
their well-developed “trap” system means they’ve also become a repository for plastic and trash flowing from land-based
sources. Once tangled in the roots, plastic cannot escape. It becomes more tightly packed with each tidal cycle, displacing
nests and baby sea animals that rely on their shelter to survive.

Mangroves also protect homes, property, and infrastructure from flooding caused by strong storms. It’s estimated that the
presence of mangroves reduces wave heights by as much as 50 percent. Coastal damage caused by large storms like hurricanes
and typhoons are more severe in areas where mangroves have been cleared. Entire mangrove forests are being cut down to
build communities that can be, and have been, completely washed away without their protection.

Mangroves even protect coral reefs and seagrass beds, other critical ecosystems, from being smothered in sediment. Coral
reefs are another barrier against waves and currents that would otherwise erode the shoreline. When they are destroyed,
stronger waves and currents reach the coast.

Mangroves are great natural filters and serve as powerful carbon sinks

Mangroves help regulate the climate and counteract the effects of global warming

They are a special species of plant because their impressive filtration system allows them to filter out excess salt water

The carbon dioxide they remove from the atmosphere is sequestered, or stored in their wood, roots, and the surrounding soil,
for thousands of years

They can sequester up to 10X more carbon than any land-based forests and they don’t emit nearly as much methane because of
their saline-rich soils

Preventing mangrove loss and restoring mangrove forests are both excellent ways to mitigate the effects of global warming

Mangroves support human life, wellness, and culture

Fisheries supported by the mangrove ecosystem provide global food security, especially for some of the most vulnerable communities

In some parts of the world, aquaculture is the biggest driver of mangrove loss

They create a habitat where many other food products are grown and harvested

Their wood is resistant to both rot and insects, which makes it an ideal construction material and source of fuel for coastal
and indigenous communities

Mangroves support a vibrant tourism industry that provides a livelihood for many locals

It’s estimated that a mangrove ecosystem is worth $33K to $57K per hectare per year

Much less tangible but no less valuable, mangroves are also a wellspring of aesthetic beauty, culture, spirituality, and
recreation in coastal communities around the world

We’re partnering with Conservation International to protect mangroves and other critical estuary habitats

This month, we’re partnering with Conservation International, a member of the Global Mangrove Alliance, to offer the green
and tan Limited Edition Marine Nursery Bracelet. Each bracelet purchased pulls a pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines
and helps protect estuaries and mangroves, the nurseries of the sea.